Police: Texas fatal shooting suspect used grenade

DESOTO, Texas (AP) – Investigators have confirmed that a former special education teacher accused of killing four people in a pair of shootings used a grenade in one of the attacks, police in a Dallas suburb said.

Erbie Bowser, 44, has been charged with capital murder in the late-night attacks Aug. 7.

Bowser detonated a grenade inside his estranged wife’s house and was arrested after running out of ammunition, according to search warrant affidavits released Thursday by DeSoto police. Police found a grenade pin and fragments inside her home, along with bullets and shell casings, according to the affidavits.

Investigators have said the explosion injured no one, but Bowser shot and killed Zina Bowser, his 47-year-old estranged wife, and her 28-year-old daughter, Neima Williams. Two boys, ages 11 and 13, were wounded.

The attack in DeSoto happened about 15 minutes after one in southwestern Dallas in which, according to Dallas police, Bowser killed Toya Smith, his 43-year-old girlfriend, and her 17-year-old daughter, Tasmia Allen. Smith’s 14-year-old son and a 17-year-old family friend were wounded, police said.

The affidavits show ammunition and gun-related accessories were found in the suspect’s car.

Police did not return phone calls seeking comment Thursday.

Erbie and Zina Bowser had begun divorce proceedings in 2011, when court documents show Erbie Bowser made threats against Zina, telling her that if she tried to take any of their belongings, “I will bury you.” Zina Bowser said he took a pocketknife from a drawer, opened it and said, “Call the police and I will execute your kids,” documents show.

After that, a Dallas judge granted a protective order, banning Erbie Bowser from coming within 200 yards of his estranged wife and her children. The judge wrote in his report: “Family violence has occurred and is likely to occur in the future.”

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